Pump.



C. H. FX.

PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED DEc. 3|. ISI-5.

1 ,201 ,954. Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

, i WITNESSES; CQIZQS'Z'OJ?, 1N VEN T0 w: mwms crews co., Imam-umu.4 wnsumcwm D c C. H. FOX.

i PUMP. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 3|. I9I5.

Patented oct. 17,1916.v

3 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

jyg

ITNESSES:

flor/ley v ma mums r, .sns co.. Nn-m uma vusmmnm.

C. H. FOX.

PUMP.

APPLICATioN FILED mic. 31, 1915.

. 56 R/ ,n .f n N mw 6. W m 1mm M F n; W a Y 4 C B 5 Y 6 |l1 .7 v0 1l w w 1| d @,121 n@ am WITNESSES.-

CHARLES HENRY Fox, or BAKnRsrIELD, CALIFORNIA.

PUMP.

,nearer-i4.

To all whom t may concern.' n

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. Fox, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Bakersfield, in the county of Kern and State of California, have invented a new and use-V ful Pump, of which the'following is a specification. n

This invention has reference to pumps, and its object is to provide a means for elevating water by the direct effect of` explosive mixtures, especially those ofa hydrocarbon and air.

The invention comprises one or more explosion chambers to be located ata low point in the well, and means for conducting an explosive mixture from the surface of the ground to the explosion chamber or chambers and for igniting the mixture at the surface of the ground with the ignition progressing through what may be termed a fuse pipe to the explosion chamber, whereby the gases of explosion are utilized to raise the water to the surface of the ground.

The invention also comprises numerous features which will be set forth in detail in the more specific description to follow.

The invention will be bestk understood 'from a 'consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, with the further understanding-that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not confined to any strict conformity withv the showing of the drawing, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications come within the scope of the appended claims. y

ln the drawings: Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic representation, with some parts in elevation, of a pump system embodying the present invention. Fig.-2 is alongitudinal diametric section `with 'some parts in elevation of the portion of the pump structure designed to be located deep in the well. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pump` structure of Fig. 2 with-some parts in crosssection and the uptake pipe omitted. Fig. 4- is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2 with seme parts shown in elevation, and with the casing and uptake pipe omitted. Fig. 6 isI a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. r2. Fig.

7 isa section "n the' line 7-7 'of Fig. 2".`

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

' Application inea December 31, 1915. serial No. 69,648.

Fig. Sis a detail section of an automatic check valve controlling. the supply of explosive mixture and neutral air.v

Referring to the drawings there is indicated a well 1 provided with a casing 2 and may be taken as indicative of any suitable well, and especially a deep well. Near the bottom of the well there is a pump casing 3 which may be shaped to define two oval members 4, 5, joined intermediately. Centrally located within the members 41and 5 are cylinders 6 and 7 ,.respectively. 'Above the cylinders k6 and 7 the twomembers 4 and 5 have continuations 8 and 9, respectively, terminating in contracted passages 10, 11, opening intoa. pipe l2constituting the uptake pipe and leading to the surface of the ground and'from such point to any suitable point of disposal of the water to be elevated, which water is directed through the pipe 12 in a manner which will hereinafter appear.

- lVithin the pipe l2 adjacent to the passages 10, 11 is a valve 13 of any suitable construction, the valve being indicated as an ordi-l particular form of valve. Y

At the lower ends the two members 4 and 5 of the pump casing are formed into necks 14, 15, respectively, into each of which is screwed a cage 16 having a central guide 17 and terminating at the top ina valve seat 18, it being understood that the parts are upright in the installed position. In the respective necks 14, 15 are located foot valves 19, 20, respectively, adapted to the valve seats 18 and each having` a stem 21 ex` tending through the guide 17 and at the lower end carrying a fioatv22. Each cylinnary flap valve without limitation to such der 6 and 7 has a contracted lower end 23y extent to close the entrance to the lower end.

of the casing member 4 or 5 through the cage 16. Each cylinder 6 and 7 is closed at the upper end bv a head 25 and within each cylinder is a piston 26 having an axiallyextended stem 27 at the lower end terminating in a valve adapted to close the passage 24 when the piston 26 is in its lowermost position. rlhe upper end of veach. piston 26 `is di'shedorcupped', asshwn'at 28, fora'ipur? l pose to be described, and leading axially from the cup 'is a passage 29 for a part of the distance through the piston. lower end of the passage 29 are branch pas-v sages 30 leadingto a Vcircumferential channel containing a packing ring 31. The upper ends of the interiors of the cylinders 6 and 7 are connected by a passage 32 in turn connected to a pipe 33 leading to the top of the well and servingv a purpose to be described. Near the connection of the pipe 33 with the passage 32 the pipe contains a check valve A34 opening toward the pasto each cylinder 6 and 7 above the piston 26 therein. The mixture conveyed by the pipes 35may be a mixture of air and hydrocarbon gas in proper proportions to produce an explosive mixture, while the air supplied by the pipe 33 is free from admixture with hyi drocarbon and to distinguish the air supplied by the pipe 33 from the mixture supplied by the pipes 35, such air may be termed neutral air.

When the pump casing 3 is immersed in the water in the well, the iioats 22 tend normally to rise, thus opening the valves 19 and 20 and under such circumstances water will flow into the interior of the casing 3 about the cylinders 6 and 7 to and through the openings 10 and 11, raising the valve 13 and {iowing into the piper12 to the level of water in the well. Suppose now that an explosive mixture is supplied to the pipes 35 under so-me predetermined pressure, and that neutral air ,is supplied tothe pipe 33 under like pressure, the pistons 26 being, because of their weight, in the lower position so that the openings 24 are closed by the valve ends of the stems 27. The pressure of explosive mixture entering the cylinders 6v and 7 below the pistons and the pressure of air entering the cylinders above the pistons may be considered as about equal, with the area exposed to pressure greater above than below the piston, wherefore the pressure of explosive mixture may rise in the cylinders until a suiiicient pressure is established therein without opening the valves. Now, when .the compressed charge is ignited in pipe 35,

there is thereby produced a progressive increase'oi:I compression advancing ahead of essere@ er ,as it ses ffl-01e .the spek-4 At the Vbe raised to any pressure desired. It is only when the pressure within the explosion chambers in the cylinders 6 and 7 below the l pistons 26 rises. higher than the pressure above the pistons that the valves may open. This rise of pressure in the explosion chamber occurs whenA the explosive mixture is ignited, and then pressure within the explosionrchamber rises very high, thus lifting the piston and further compressing the air above the piston, so that such air acts' as 'an elastic buiier preventing the sudden im'- pulse of the explosionl from driving the piston violently against the'upper head of the cylinder and acting to return the piston to its lowest position. The highly increased pressure thus produced above the piston is not communicated to the pipe 33 because oi. the presence of the check valve 34. Nor is the pressure of the explosion within the particular cylinder1 say, the cylinder 6, under consideration communicated to the pipe 35 supplying explosive mixture to the cylinder,

because of the presence of the check valve 36. s

The gases of explosion escape through the passage 24 then opened by the rise of the valve with the piston 26 and force the valve 19 to the closed position shown in Fig. 2 and the gases of explosion then acting upon water within the interior of the member 4 of the water to the point of discharge. In

the meantime the explosive mixture has been accumulating within the cylinder 7 below the piston 26 therein, and at the proper time such gases are ignited, exploded and force water into the pipe 12 in the same manner as has been described with reference to the cylinder 6. The pressure caused by the first explosion rapidly diminishes, so that thepiston in the cylinder 6 is no longer sustained by the superior pressure on its lower end, and consequently the piston drops until the valve 27 is in the closed position and the cylinder is again charged with explosive mixture, this occurring while the explosion is takingy place in the cylinder 7 and the pressure therein is diminishing. s soon as the valve 27 in the cylinder 6 is' closed the llif pressure within the member 4 has suiiiciently reduced to permit the valve 19 to open under the www a? 'thai-Hoet 22 eed-@heren tial vacuum formed in member 4, so that the member 4 again becomes filled With Water.

other comparatively slowly, the valve 13'V may close, or approach theclosed position after each explosion. n

In orderk that the pistons 26 may be kept lubricated, a small amount of lubricating oil is fed through the pipe 33 and through the passage 32 into the vcylinders 6 and 7 above the pistons 26. The cupped or dislied ends 28 ofthe pistons serve to collect the lubricating oil reaching the cylinders and to direct such oil through the passages 29, from which the oil is distributed by the passages 30 to the grooves receiving the kpacking rings 31. f

The pump of the present invention after being lowered into the Well requires no attention for long periods of time. The only moving parts are the pistons and buoyant valves 19, 20, for the means for igniting the charges is located on top of the ground Where such means is at all times readily accessible.

One of the structures whereby explosive mixture and neutral air are supplied to the pump and the explosive charges are ignited, is shown in Figs. 1 and 8. At some convenient point there are provided tivo pumps 35a, 36EL which may have pistons connected together by a piston rod 37 to be driven simultaneously by any suitable source of power. Such driving means are not shown in the drawings, since they may consist of any of the frequently used devices for the purpose, a one or one and one-half horse power gasolene engine giving excellent results for supplying a. pump With fuel and air even though the pump be of large capacity. Of course, other types of motors may be used. The fuel is supplied to the pump 35a through a carbureter 38, which latter may be of any suitable type, and, therefore, is not shown .in detail. Between the carbureter 38 and pump35L is a check valve 39 and on the discharge side of the pump is another check valve 40, the latter opening into a T coupling 41 connected through certain fittings and other structures to the pipes The fittings and structures include an automatic check valve 42 of special construction, an ordinary check valve 43, a- T 44 carrying a spark plug 45, still another ordinary Check valve 46, and Va T coupling 47 the latter having its stem portion connected through a check valve 48 to a pump 49 having' a piston rod 50 which may be drverlby the Same power emrleyed into the pipe to drive the piston rod 37. The pump 49 is fed With Water through a pipe 51`and its purpose is to supply a spray of Water to the pipe 35 to Which it is connected, which WaterY ultimately l'inds its Way into the respective cylinder 6 or 7, as the case may be, thus providing a Water seal at the valve end of the stem 27 and aiding in preventing leakage at such valve during the introduction ofthe charge of explosive mixture into the cylinder into which the pipe 35 opens. The T 41 has its stem connected to another T 52 connected by a pipe 53 to the pump 365. Air is draivn into the pump 36a through a check valve 54 and escapes from the pump 36"tlirough another check valve 55 opening n The coupling 52 is connected by a pipe 56 to the automatic check valve structure 42 and to this structure at a point opposite the pipe 56 the pipe 33 is connected. lVithin the valve structure 42 isa piston 57 having a passage 58 diametrically therethrough. The piston 57 is urged by a spring 59 within the check valve 42 to such position that the passage 58 coincides With the pipes 33 and 56, but should the pressure Within the pipe 35 and parts connected thereto rise above the tension of spring' 59,'the latter is compressed and the piston 57 moves to an extent to close communication between the pipes 33 and 56, whereupon air supplied by the pump 36 to the pipe 53 then flows to the pipe 35.

lith means for supplying explosive miX- i ture and neutral air to the cylinders 6 or 7, such means being duplicated in so far as necessary for supplying tivo cylinders 6 and 7, the explosive mixture supplied through the carbureter 38 is forced by the pump 35a' to the pipe 35 through the various check valves and parts linterposed between the pump 35a and the pipe At the same time neutral air is supplied by the pump 36a to the pipe 33. Since the pressures are alike in the tyvo pipes no admixture takes place; When the cylinder being supplied, say, the cylinder 6, is filled With explosive 'mixture in its explosion chamber up to the desired pressure, and neutral air to a like pressure has been introduced into the cylinder above the piston 26, the compressed explosive mixture is fired at the'spark plug 45. This immediately establishes pressure suilicient to close the check valve 43 so that there can be no back fire toward the carbureter but the burning of the explosive mixture progresses through the pipe 35 to the explosion chamber of the cylinder 6, Wherefore the pipe 35` becomes a fuse pipe. Furthermore, the pressure exerted by the explosion closes the check valve 48.' As soon as the force of the explosion is exhausted the pump 49 sprays Water into the pipe 35.l thus aidingin cooling the pipe which has become heated by the gases of 'explosion and liability `,of prematureex--,

k .sition the Water accumulates about it, thus los.

providing a Water seal Where the valve 27 seats at the passage 24C, the lower end of the cylinder 6` or 7, as the case may be, being of taper or other shape tov facilitate the .ac cumulation of Water about the valve.

Suppose that for some reasonthe charge within the cylinder '6 or 'l `fails to explode.

Then as the Vnext charge is forced toward such cylinder it means a more compressed charge, so that the pressurewithin the pipe rises above the tension of spring 59 sutliciently to act upon the piston 57 in a manner` to move it to carry its passage 58 out of coincidence with the pipes 53 and 56. Under these circumstances the neutral air is forced into the pipe 35, since the pipe 33 is cut out of communication With the pump 86a. The result is that the pressure Within the explosion chamber of the particular cylinder 6 or 7 is increased beyond that of the neutral air and the piston 26 is raised to open the valve 27 and permit the escape of accumulated gas Within the explosion chamber even though there has been no explosion. y

If but one of the cylinders 6 or 7 be uti lized the pump will operate as a single acting pump, while if both cylinders 6 and 7 be utilized to operate alternately the pump Will operate as a double acting pump and the stream of Water Will then be substantially continuous instead of intermittent.

The pump casing 3 may in large part be of a single casting.l thus contributing to the simplicity, strength and cheapness of manufactureof the device. The piping and lttings are in most part of commercial type and are largely purchasable in the open market.

What is claimed is l 1. In an apparatus for raising Water from Wells or other places, a pump cylinder adapted to be immersed in the Water, a reciprocatory piston in the pump cylinder provided with a valve controlled by the piston and in `turn controlling the outlet of the pump cylinder, means for introducing an explosive mixture into the pump cylinder on the valve side of the piston, and means for supplying air under pressure to the pump cylinder on that side of the piston remote from the valve.

2. In an apparatus for raising Water from Wells or other places, a pump cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein and provided withV a valve for controlling the outlet of the cylinder, means for supplying air under pressure to one end of the piston, means Jfor supplying an explosive mixture to the pump cylinder at thev other end ofk the piston, said last-namedumeans being.- in :the -orm nof a'- pipe leading to and above or beyond the top of the Well, and means for igniting the `ex cylinder therein between the foot valve and the outlet end of the casing, a reciprocatory piston within the cylinder having a valve at one end and said cylinder having an outlet controlled by the valve, means for supplying an explosive mixture to the cylinder cn the valve side of the' piston, and means for supplying air under pressure to the cylinder on that side of the piston remote from the valve.

4. In an apparatus for raising Water from Wells or other places, a pump casing having a foot valve at one end and an outlet at the other and also provided with a cylinder Within the casing between the foot valve and the outlet end of said casing, a reciprocable piston Within the cylinder With a valve on said piston and the cylinder having an outlet toward the foot valve controlled by the valve of the piston, means for supplying an explosive mixture to the cylinder on the valve side of the piston, and means for counterbalancing the pressure of the explosive Charge.

5. In an apparatus for raising Water from Wells or other places, a pump casing having a foot valve at one end and an outlet at the other and also provided With a cylinder Within the casing between the foot valve and the outlet end of said casing, a reciproable piston Within the cylinder with a valve on said piston and the cylinder having an outlet toward the foot valve controlled by the valve of the piston, means for supplying an explosive mixture to the cylinder on the valve side of the piston, and means for counterbalancing the pressure of the explosive charge, said counterbalancing means comprising a pipe leading into ythe cylinder on the side of the piston remote from the valve. Y

6. In an apparatus for raising Water from Wells or other places, a pump casing having a foot valvev at one end and an outlet at the other and also provided With a cylinder Within the casing between the foot valve and the outlet end of said casing, a reciprocable piston Within the cylinder With a valve on said piston and the cylinder having an outlet toward the foot valve controlled by the valve of thepistorn means for supplying an explosivev mixture to'l the '-r'cylinder on fthe ISG . Leonesa valve side of the piston, and means for counterbalancing the pressure of the explosive charge, said counterbalancing means fomprising a pipe leading into the cylinder on the side of the piston remote from the valve, and the means for supplying thel explosive mixture to the cylinder comprising a pipe constituting both a feed pipe and a fuse pipe and having means at a point distant from the cylinder for igniting the charge in said cylinder.

7. In an apparatus 'for raising water irom wells or other places, a pump casing adapted to be immersed in the water in the well, said casing having an inlet at the lower end and an outlet at the upper end and also provided with an interior cylinder provided with an outlet at the lower end, a tloat valve constituting a foot valve for the inlet to the casing, a reciprocable piston in the cylinder within the casing and having a valve controlling the outlet of the cylinder, a pipe communicating with the cylinder below the piston and oonstituting a means for introducing an explosive mixture therein, and another pipe communicating with the cylinder above the pist0n and constituting a means tor supplying air under pressure to counteract the lifting effect of the explosive mixture fed to the pump cylinder through the first-named pipe.

An apparatus for raising water Jtrom wells or other places, comprising a pump casing with an inlet at the lower end and an outlet at the upper end, a pipe communicating with the outlet and leading to the top of the well, a float valve constituting a foot valve for the casing, a cylinder within the casing having an outlet at its lower end directed toward the foot valve, a recipr cable piston within the cylinder and carrying a valve for the outlet of said cylinder, a pipe leading to the top of the well and communicating with the cylinder below the piston, another pipe leading to the top of the well and communicating with the cylinder above the piston, means for supplying the firstknamed pipe with explosive mixture, and

means for supplying the second-named pipe with air under pressure.

9. An apparatus for raising water from wells or other places, comprising a pump casing with an inlet at the lower end and an outlet at the upper end, a pipe communicating with the outlet and leading to the top of the well, a Heat valve constituting a toot valve for the casing, a cylinder within the casing having an outlet at its lower end directed toward the foot valve, a reciprocable piston within the cylinder and carrying a valve for the outlet ot' said cylinder, a pipe leading to the top of the well and communieating with the cylinder below the piston, another pipe leading to the top of the well and communicating with the cylinder above i the piston, means for supplying the iirstnamed pipe with explosive mixture, and means for supplying the second-named pipe with air under pressure, means located ator above or beyond the vupper end of the well for igniting the explosive mixture within the first-named pipe, and means for supplying said tiret-named pipe with water for cooling purposes and for producing a water seal about the piston carried valve..

' 10. An apparatus for raising water from wells or other places, comprising a pump casing-with a cylinder therein having an outlet at the lower end, a reciprocatory piston in thecylinder provided with a valve for controlling the outlet of the cylinder, a pipe communicating'with the cylinder below the piston, another pipe communicating with the cylinder above the piston, means for supplying the first-named pipe and portion oi the cylinder below the piston with an explosive mixture, means for supplying the secondnamed pipe and portion of the cylinder aboveV the piston with air under pressure, and means in the first-named pipe lfor igniting thc explosive charge in said pipe for conveyance of the ignition to and into the cylinder below, the piston.

11. An apparatus for raising water from wells or other places, comprising a pump casing with a cylinder therein having an outlet at the lower end, av reciprocatory piston in the cylinder provided with a valve for controlling the outlet of the cylinder, a pipe communicating with the cylinder below thepiston, another pipe communicating with the cylinder above the piston, means for supplying the iirst-named pipe with an explosive mixture, means for supplying the secondnamed pipe vrwith air under pressure, and means in the first-named pipe for igniting the explosive charge in said pipe for conveyance of the ignition to the cylinder below the piston, said second-named pipe being provided with a cut-od valve communicating with and operated by pressure established in the first-named pipe.

l2. In an apparatus for raising water from wells or other places, a cylinder having an outlet at one end, a reciprocatory piston within the cylinder provided with a valve for controlling the outlet of said cylinder, means for supplying an explosive mixture to the cylinder on the valve side of the piston, and means for supplying air under pressure to the cylinder on the other side of the piston to an extent to counteract the eiect of the pressure of the explosive mixture before and after the explosion.

13. 1n an apparatus for raising water from wells or other places, a cylinder having an outlet at the lower end, a piston within the cylinder and provided with a valve for controlling the outlet, said piston having ducts therethrough for lubricant and opening in the cylinder at the end of the piston 6 remote from the valve, means for supplying an explosive mixture under pressure to the cylinder on the valve side of the piston, and means for supplying air under pressureto the cylinder on the side of the piston remote from the valve, said last-named means being utilizable for the introduction of lubricant into the cylinder for distribution through the ducts in the piston.

, 14. In an Vapparatus 'for raising water from wells or other places, a cylinder having an opening at oneend and adapted. to be immersed inthe water in the well, a piston in the cylinder having a valve for controlling the opening in the cylinder, a pipe for introducing into the cylinder an explosive mixture under pressure on that sideV ofthe piston having the valve, and a pipe for introducing into the `cylinder air under pressure on the side of the piston remote from the valve, said pipes having check valves therein adjacent to the cylinder and opening theretoward.

l5. An apparatus 'for raising water from wells or other places comprising a pump casing adapted to be immersed in the water inthe well, said casing having upright cylinders therein each with anoutlet at the lower end and the casing having compartments therein individual to the cylinders, a foot valve for each compartment in line with the outlet of the respective v cylinder and with each foot'valve having a float tending to open the foot'valve, a pipe communicating with both compartments and constituting the discharge pipe of the pump, said discharge pipe having a valve opening away from the compartments, a piston in each 'cylinder having a valve for controlling the loutlet of the cylinder, a pipe individual to 'each cylinder for supplying an explosive cylinders simultaneously on the side of the piston remote 'from the valve, said pipes leading to the top of the well, and means at the top ofthe well for igniting theex-.

plosive mixture in the pipes carrying it, whereby said pipes become fuse pipes for' igniting the explosive mixture within the cylinders.

IG. In an apparatus for raising water from wells and other places, an explosion chamber having a valved'outlet, means 4for maintaining the valved outlet 'closed against a predetermined pressure, a pipe entering the explosion chamber and extending to a distance and provided with check means for preventing return iiow of iiuid under pressure from the explosion chamber to the pipe, means for supplying an explosive mixture through the pipe into the explosion chamber, and means for ignitiiig the explosive mixture in the pipe on the side of the check means remote from the explosion chamber, whereby a progressive ignition of the explosive mixture occurs in the pipe, thereby recompressing the compressed explosive mixture within the explosion chamber `before ignition thereof.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto laihxed my signature inthe presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES HENRY FOX.

fitnesses L. L. MILLER, EDW. A. KELLY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C." 

